Railway traffic controlling apparatus



C. H. LAY

RAILWAY TRAFFIC GONTROLLTNG APPARATUS Filed Dec. 29, 1937 .4 ,4 .a W l. w 0 n 2 N W im. -1 ww M M. 1 ,-51 LR S Ww $0 Il E. 5 WU @QON/M VHMUIJ 0 M n V 7,. .E l wu@ D. 9 w. 2.. g n 9.0, /2 5M WL 4 5 5 NL d 1 L 0 w 4, M w mm WM 1f pn@ M 5 P005 JWWL 7 1 ,w/M H B ,wf 4 5W [EFL M ww @2g M n 1.4. Y w 1| 4 @y 6 7 6 @X MW 22d Feb. 7, 1939.-

33 EJE 52 Patented F eb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CON TROLLIN G APPARATUS Application December 29, 1937, Serial No. 182,278

Claims.

' My invention relates to railway trahie controlling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus of ,the type involving power operated track switches vcontrolled by a manually operable means, such as y5 by levers of an interlocking machine.

A feature of my invention is the provision of novel'and improved apparatus for indicating at the manually operable lever of an interlocking machine the position of a power actuated track switch and of the controlling apparatus therefor. A further feature of my invention is the provision of apparatus of the type here involved for controlling the well-known polarized indication 'relay and the indication lock magnets associated with switch levers of interlocking machines. 'Other features and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification progresses.

I shall describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus embodying my invention when applied to the control apparatus of" an electropneumatic switch and lock move- Iments or mechanism of a single railway switch. Fig; 2 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus embodying my invention applied to thecontrol apparatus of electropneumatic switch and lock movements or mechanisms for crossover switches. 'In each of the two views, similar reference characters designate similar parts.

Referring to Fig. 1, the reference character SW designates a railway track switch which is actuated by an electropneumatic switch operating mechanism SM. This switch operating mechanism may, for example, be of the type shown and described in the United States Letters Patent No. 1,713,169, granted May 14, 1929, to J. P. Coleman 'for Railway traffic controlling apparatus. It is suiiicient for the present application to say that when the normal control valve magnet NV and the lock control magnet LV of the mechanism SM vare energized the mechanism is operated as required to move the track switch to its normal position, that is, the position illustrated in Fig. 1; and when the reverse control valve magnet RV and the lock control valve magnet LV are energized, the mechanism SM is operated as required vto move the track switch to its reverse position, that, is, to the position opposite that illustrated in Fig. 1. v

A controller I-II comprising two movable contact members I I and I2 is connected with the con- `iroli'lalvesof the mechanism SM, as indicated by'faw dash -lin'e I3, thearrangement being such (Cl.r 246-135) that the contact members and I2 are operated l to the right-hand position, as viewed in Fig. 1, closing contacts I-I4 and |2|5 when the control valves of the mechanism SM are actuated as required to move the track switch to its normal position, and the contact members I I and I2 are operated to the left-hand position, as viewed in Fig. l, closing contacts I ||6 and |2-|'| when the control valves of the mechanism are actuated as required to move the track switch to its reverse position.

A second controller H2 comprising four movable Contact members I8, I9, 2t and 2| is connected with .the mechanism SM and with the track switch SW by any suitable-means indicated by a dash '16 line 22. The parts are so constructed that contact members I8 and I9 are operated to engage contacts 23 and 24, respectively, only when the Y switch SW is locked in its normal position, and at all other times the contact members I8 and I9 make engagement with contacts 25 and 26, respectively. In a similar fashion, the contact members 20 and 2| are operated to engage the contacts 2'I and 28, respectively, only when the switch is locked in its reverse position, and at all other times contact members 20 and 2| make engagement with contacts 29 and 30, respectively.

The switch mechanism SM is controlled by a manually operable lever L, such as, for example, a switch lever of an interlocking machine. The llever L comprises a handle 3| and a controller including a plurality of contact members indicated by the reference characters I to 8, inclusive. The diagram appearing below the handle 3| indicates the principal positions which may be occupied by the lever L. These positions are: full normal position N, full reverse position R, normal indication position B, reverse indication position D, and two intermediate positions X and Y. The rcontact members I to 8 are actuated by the handle 3| to engage associated stationary contacts to complete different circuit contacts at diferent positions of the lever. The positions in which the various contact members engage the associated contacts are designated by reference characters which correspond to the diagram. For example, the contact member is designated by the reference character RD, which means that the contact member engages the associated contact to close the circuit when the lever is moved to its reverse indication position, to its reverse position, and to any position between these two.

kAssociated lwith the lever L are a normal indication lever lock NL and a reverse indication lever lock RL. The lock NL comprises a segment 32 connected with the handle 3l and a magnet 33 having a locking dog 34 controlled thereby. The locking dog 34 cooperates withthe segment 32 in the usual manner and prevents, when the lever is moved toward its normal position, movement of the lever past its normal indication position unless magnet 33 is energized. Also, movement of lever L away from the normal position is prevented unless magnet 33 is energized. In like manner, the lock RL comprises a segment 35 connected with the handle 3I and a magnet 36 having a locking dog 31 controlled thereby. The locking dog 31 cooperates with the segment 35, and in the usual manner prevents, when the lever Vis being moved toward the reverse position, movement past the reverse indication position unlessv the magnet 33 is energized. Also, magnet 35 must be energized and dog 31 lifted in order for the lever to be moved away from the reverse position. As in usual practice, a latch contact 39 is provided for handle 3i, the arrangement being such that contact 39 is biased by its own spring action to an open position and is closed when the latch on handle 3l is actuated in preparation for moving the lever away from either its normal or reverse position.

The indicationV lock NL and the indication lock RL are in part governed by an indication relay KR, which vas here shown` is a direct current polarized relay. The relay KR also cooperates with contacts of the lever L in controlling the current, such as a batteryY not shown, over resistance 4l), contact |8-23 of controller H2, Vindication wire 4 I, winding of relay KR, indication wire 42, contact I9-24 of controllerV H2, contact II-I4 of controller HI and to the terminal CI4 of the current source. The current supplied to relay KR by this normal indication circuit is of normal polarity, so that the relay KR is energized to operate its polar contact iingers 43 and 44 tc the left-hand position, as viewed in Fig. l, making contact with normal polar contacts 45 and 46, respectively. Also, under the normal position of the apparatus, the normal valve magnet NV is energized over a circuit eX- tending from terminal BI4, the NB'contact of contact member 2, resistance 41, control wire 48, winding of valve magnet NV and to the terminal VCl4.

I shall next assume that the operator desires to reverse the position of the track switch and to that end moves the lever L to its reverse indication position D. When the latch of handle 3| is lifted in preparationY of moving the lever away from its normal position, the contact 39 is closed and a circuit is completed for the magnet 33, and current flows from terminal BI4 over the usual detector circuit control, contact 39, the NX contact of contact member 5, winding of magnet 33, indication wire 42, contact I9-24 of controller H2, contact I l-I4 of controller HI and to the CI4 terminal. With magnet 33 thus energized to lift its locking dog 34, the segment 32 is released and in turn the lever L, so that the lever may Ybe moved toits reverse indication position where its movement is arrested by virtue of the locking dog 31 engaging the usual notch in the segment 35. Inthis reverse indication position D, the lock valve magnet LV is energized by virtue of a circuit extending from terminal BI4 over front neutral contact 49 of relay the RD contact ofcontact member 4, normal polar contact 44-46 of relay KR, control wire 50, winding of lock valve magnet LV and to the ter-V minal CI4. The reverse valve magnet RV is also BI4 over the RD contact of contact member I,

resistance 5I, control wire 52, winding of valveV magnet RV, and to the terminal CI4.

When the valve magnets LV and RV are energizedV the controller HI is rst operated to shift its contact members II and I2 to the left-hand position in the manner explained hereinbefore. When the contact members II and I2 are thus shifted the normal indication circuit is opened and relay KR is deenergized and released. `Ihe circuit for the lock valve-magnet LV is now completed .over the back contactV 53 of relay KR, as will be readily understood by an inspection of Fig. 1. With valve magnets LV and RV energized air pressure is appliedVV to the mechanism for operating the switch.l At the start of. the operation, the mechanism SM unlocks the track switch, and in so doing ther controller H2 is operated to shift the contact members I8 and VI9 from engagement withl contacts'23 and 24 to engagement with contacts 25 and 25, respectively.` vWhen j the contact members I8 and I9 are thus shifted, the winding of relay KR is short-circuited by virtue of two connections between the indication wires `4Ifand 42. Y cludes contact Ill-25 and contact 2I-3IJ of controller H2, and the other connection includes contact 20`29 and contact lil-29. When the switch is moved and locked in its reverse position,

the controller H2 is operated to shift its contact One of these connections in members 20 andV 2| in the manner explained hereinbefore. With both controllers HI and H2 thus operated, "a reverse indication circuit for and the control valves of the mechanism SM;

When the relay KR is picked up to open its back contact 53, the lock valve, magnet LV is deenergized an'd the mechanismVSM is cut off from the air pressure. With relay KR energized in itsV reverse position, the magnet 36 is provided with a circuit.` This circuit for magnet 39 can be*V traced from terminal BI4 over front contact 49VVV of relay KR, the RDcontact of contact member 4, reverse polar contact 44-55 .of relay KR', the ND position of .contact member 8, winding of magnet 36,"indicationwire 4I, contact 20-21 of controllerH2, contactI2-I1 of controller HI and terminalCI4. With magnet 3B thus energized, its locking dog 31 is lifted to permit the movement of the lever L to its full reverse posi-` tion R, Where the contact ND of Vcontact member .8 is Y opened Vand magnet 36 is deenergized. It is to be seen, therefore, that to energize the lock 10 provided with a circuit extending from terminal :should o-perate to their reverse positions to reverse controller HI, but due to some faulty connection between the mechanism SM and the track switch,-or other failure, the controller H2 re- 'fmalns inits `normal position, the indication relay KR is short-circuited by virtue of a path extending from indication wire 4I over contact I8,-23 of controller H2, contact II-I6 of controller HI, contact I9--24 of controller H2 and tothe other indication wire 42. Also under such circumstances, the circuit forthe magnet 36 is connected with the terminal BI4v adjacent the switch location over the Vcontact I 8-23 of controller H2, and thus false energization of magnet 36 is avoided. Again, in the event the mechanism SM and switch SW are operated to their reverse positions, but the polar contact -ngers of relay KR fail for some reason to respond to the reverse energization of relay KR, the circuit for the lock magnet 36remains deenergized since it is held open at the reverse polar contact 44-55 of relay KR, and with magnet 36 deenergized the lever L is locked at its reverse indication position to check the failure of the indication relay KR. In Fig. 1, a lever indicating lamp 56 is provided and is illuminated over a simple cir- `cuit including back contact 51 of relay KR.

I shall next assume that the operator desires to restore the switch to its normal position and to that end moves the lever L toits normal ind-ication position B. The lifting of the latch of handle 3| in preparation for movement of the `lever away from its reverse position clos-es contact 39 and completes a circuit formagnet 36. This circuit involves terminal BI4, the usual de- :tector circuit control, contact 39, the RY contact member 6, winding of magnet 36, indication wire 4I, contact 20-21 of controller H2, contact I2'-I1 of controller HI and terminal CI4. With ymagnet 36 thus energized, its locking dog 31 is lifted to permit the movement of segment 35y and `in turn movement of lever L away from its reverse position. At the normal indication position vB of lever L, its movement is arrested by locking dog 34 engaging the usual notch in the segment 32. At the normal indication position of lever L, the previously traced circuit for normal valve magnet NV is formed to energize that valve magnet. This time, the lock valve magnet LV is energized by current supplied from terminal BI4 over front contact 49 of relay KR, the NB contact of contact member 3, reverse polar contact 43-54 of relay KR, control wire 5U, winding of valve magnet LV and terminal CI 4.

With both valve magnets NV and LV energized, the mechanism SM is operated to move the switch to its normal position. When the control valve magnets NV and LV are actuated, the controller HI is operated to shift its contact members I I and I2 into engagement with the respective contacts I4 and I5 so that the indication relay KR is deenergized, the circuit for magnet LV being now completed at back contact 53 in the manner described hereinbef-ore. When the mechanism SMis operated to unlock the switch, the controller H2 ismoved to shift its contact members 20 and 2I to the position illustrated in Fig. 1, and when the switch is moved and locked in its normal position .the controller H2 is operated toshiit its contact members I8 and I9 to the position illustrated in Fig. 1. Under this condition of the controllers HI and H2, the previously traced normal indication circuit for relay KR is cornpleted and that relay is energized with current of normal polarity. When relay KR is energized and operated to its normal position, the magnet 33 of the normal lock NL is energized, the circuit extending from terminal BI 4 over front contact 49 of 'relay KR, the NB contact of contact member 3, normal polar contact 43-45 of relay KR, the RB contact of contact member 1, winding of magnet 33, indication wire 42, contact I9--24 of controller H2, contact II-I4 of controller HI and terminal CI 4'. With magnet 33 thus energized to lift its locking dog 34, the segment 32 and in turn the lever L is released to permit the lever L to be moved to its full normal position, where the contact RB of contact member 1 is opened and magnet 33 is deenergized.

Should the switch and controller H2 fail to move to the normal position in response to operation of the mechanism SM, the relay KR is short-circuited by a path extending from the indication wire 4I over contact 2li-21 of controller H2, contact I2-I5 of controller HI, contact 2I-28 of controller H2 and to the other indication wire 42. Also', the circuit for the magnet r33 is connected to the BIII terminal of the current source at the switch location over the contact 2I-28 of controller H2. It is to be noted that magnet 33 can be energized when and only when there is agreement as to position between the lever L, the indication relay KR, the switch SW and the control valves oi the mechanism SM.

In Fig. 2, the switches SWI and SW2 of a crossover are operated by means of the respective electro-pneumatic switch mechanisms SMI and SM2. A controller H5 is operated from the control valves of the mechanism SMI, and a controller H6 is operated from the control valves of the mechanism SM2, in the same manner that controller HI of Fig. 1 is operated from the control valves of the mechanism SM. Controllers H3 and H4 of Fig. 2 correspond to the controller H2 of Fig. 1 and are operated by the mechanisms SMI and SM2, respectively. Looking at controller H3, the movable contact members 58 and 59 make engagement with the respective contacts 60 and 6I only when the switch SWI isflocked in its normal position, and at all other times they engage the two contacts 62 and 63, respectively. Contact members 64 and 65 make engagement with contacts 66 and 61 only when the switch SWI is locked in the reverse position, and at all other times they engage the contacts 68 and 69, respectively. In controller H4, the contact members 1U and 1I engage the respective contacts 12 and 13 only when the switch SW2 is lock-ed in its normal position, and the contact members 14 and 15 engage the respective contacts 16 and 'I1 only when the switch SW2 is locked in the reverse position, and at all other times the contact members 10, 1I, 14 and 15 engage the contacts 18. 19, 80 and 8I, respectively.

The lever L, normal lock NL, reverse lock RL and indication relay KR of Fig. 2 are the same as in Fig. 1. The mechanisms SMI and SM2 are controlled by the lever L over control circuits, the same as in Fig. 1 except for the fact that the respective valve magnets of mechanisms SMI and SM2 are connected in series and the resistances 41 and 5I are omitted, as Will be readily understood by an inspection of Fig. 2.

With the crossover in its normal position as illustrated in Fig. 2, a normal indication circuit is formed for the relay KR, which circuit checks the positions of the two switches of the crossover and rthe positions of the control valves of the two-respective switch mechanisms. This normal indication circuit involves the following elements: terminal BI4, resistance 40, contact 'I0-12 of controller H4, cc-ntact 58-60 of controller H3, indication wire 4I, winding of relay KR, indication wire 42, contact 59-6I of controller H3, contact 84-85 of controller H5, contact 'II-'I3 of controller H4, contact 86-81 of controller H6 and terminal CI4.

To reverse the crossover, the lever L is moved to its reverse indication position D where control circuits are completed for the respective lock valve magnets LVI and LV2 of the, mechanisms SMI and SM2 and for the reverse valve magnets RVI vand RVZ of these two mechanisms, these control'circuits being substantially the same as described in Fig. 1 and need not be repeated.

When the latch is lifted the magnet 33 is ener-V gized in a manner similar to that in Fig. 1 and thereby permits the lever to be moved away from the normal position.

' When the two switches of the crossover are locked in their reverse positions, a reverse indication circuit is formed for the relay KR, which circuit involves the following elements: terminal BI4, resistance 40, contact 15-11 of controller H4, contact --61 of controller H3, indication wire 42, winding of relay KR, indication wire 4I, Contact 64-66, contact BIS- 89, contact 'I4-16, contact 82-83 and the terminal C I4. With relay KR energized with current of reverse polarity, a circuit is formed for the magnet 36 of the reverse lock RL, the circuit extending from terminal BI4 over front contact 49 of relay KR, the RD contact of contact member 4, reverse polar contact 44-55, the ND contact of contact member 8, winding of magnet 36, indication wire 4I, and thence to the terminal CI4 over the same path traced for the reverse indication circuit of relay R.

To operate the crossover to its normal position, the lever L is moved to its normal indication position B where control circuits are formed for the lock valve magnets LVI and LV2, and the normal valve magnets NVI and NVZ of the mechanisms SMI and SM2, these control circuits being substantially the same as in Fig. 1. When the latch is lifted the magnet 36 is energized in a manner similar to that in Fig. 1 to permit movement of the lever from the reverse position.

With the two switches of the crossover locked in their normal positions, the previously traced normal indication circuit for relay KR is completed and that relay is energized with current of normal polarity. A circuit for the magnet 33 of lock NL is now formed which involves the elements BI4, front contact 49, the NB contact of contact member 3, normal polar contact 43-45, the contact RB of contact member 1, winding of magnet 33, indication wire 42 and thence to the terminal CI4 over the same path included in4 the normal indication circuit for relay KR.

It is to be pointed out that when the crossover is moved to the reverse position the circuit for the magnet 33 of the reverse lock is completed when and only when there is agreement as to position between the lever L, relay KR, switch SWI, control valves of mechanism SMI, switch 1 SW2, and control valves of mechanism SM2. Also, whenthe crossover is moved to its normal position, the circuit for the magnet 33 of the normal lock NL is completed when and only when there is agreement as to position between the vof mechanism SM2.

lever L, relay KR, switch SWI, controlV valves of mechanism SMI, switch SW2 and control valves Although I have herein shown and described Yonly two forms of apparatus embodying Vmy inr;

vention, it is understood that various changes and modications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

AHaving thus described my invention, what I1 claim is:

1. In combination, a railway switch connected with a switch mechanism for moving the switch to its normal and reverse positions and said mechanism having a control element for reversiblyrkI l controlling said mechanism, a rst controller connected with the switch mechanism for closing connected with said switch lever for closing normal indication and reverse'indication contacts,

a polarized relay,a normal anda reversev levery lock magnet for governing said switchnlever, a

normal indication circuit for said relay including a normal contact of eachof said iirst and/second controllers, a reverse` indication'circuit for said ,Y

relay including a reverse contact of each of said iirst and second controllers, a circuit for said normal lock magnet including a normal indication contact of said lever controllerand a normal polarY contact of said relay as well as anormal contact of each of said iirst and second control- Y 1ers, anda circuit for said reverse lock magnet including a reverse indication contact of vsaid lever controller and a reverse polar Contact of said relay as well as a reverse contactof each of said first and second controllers.

2. In combination, a railway switchY connected with a switch mechanism for moving the switch to its normal and reverse positions, a controller connected with the switch mechanism for closing Vnormal and reverse contacts in response to corresponding 'positions of the switch,Y a switch lever of an interlocking machine including a controller having normal indication contacts and reverse indication contacts for governing said mechanism'to its respective normal and reverse' positions, a polarized indication relay,V aV normal and a reverse lever lock magnet for governing the movement of said lever, an indication circuit including normal and reverse vcontacts of said switch mechanism controller for reversibly energizing said relay according to the position of the switch; a circuit of said normal lock magnet including a normal indication contact vof said lever controller, a normal polar contact of said relay and a normal contact of saidV switch mechanism'controller; and a circuit of said reverse lock magnet including a reverse indicationcontact of said lever controller, a reverse polar com tact of said relay and a reverse contact of said switch mechanism controller.

` 3. In combination, a railway switch connected with a switch mechanism for moving the switch to its normal and reverse positions, a controller connected with the'switch mechanism for clos# ing normal and reverse contacts in response to corresponding positions of thevs'witch; a switch CII lever of an interlocking machine including a conrtroller having normal indication contacts and reverse indication contacts for governing said mechanism to its respective normal and reverse positions, a polarized indication relay, a normal and afreverse lever lock magnet for governing the movement of said lever, an indication circuit including normal and reverse contacts of said switch mechanism controller for reversibly energizing said relay according to the position of the switch; a circuit for said normal lock magnet including a normal indication contact of said lever controller, anormal polar and a front neutral contact of said relay and a normal contact of said switch mechnism controller; and a cir'- cuit for said reverse lock magnet including a reverse indication contact ofA said lever controller, a reverse polar and front neutral contact of said relay and a reverse contact of said switch mechanism controller.

4. In combination, a railway switch connected with a switch mechanism for moving the switch to its normal and reverse positions, a rst controller connected with the switch mechanism for closing normal and reverse contacts in response to corresponding positions of the switch, a second controller connected with said mechanism for closing normal and reverse contacts in response to corresponding positions of the mechanism, a

switch lever of an interlocking machine includcation circuit for said relay including a first indication wire connected with the positive terminal of a current source over a normal contact of said first controller and a second indication wire connected with the negative terminal of the current source over a normal contact of said first and second controllers in series, a reverse indication circuit of said relay including said second wire connected with said positive terminal over a reverse contact of said first controller and said rst wire connected with the negative terminal over a reverse contact of said rst and second controllers in series; a circuit for said normal lock magnet extending from the positive terminal of the source over a normal indication contact of said lever controller, a normal polar contact of said relay, winding of the magnet and to said second wire; and a circuit for said reverse lock magnet extending from the positive terminal of the source over a reverse indication contact of said lever controller, a reverse polar contact of said relay, winding of the magnet and to said first Wire. p

5. In combination, a railway switch connected with a switch mechanism for moving the switch to its normal and reverse positions and said mechanism having a control element -for reversibly controlling said mechanism, a first controller connected with the switch mechanism for closing normal and reverse contacts in response to corresponding positions of the switch, a. second controller connected with said control element for closing normal and reverse contacts in response to corresponding positions of the control element, a switch lever of an interlocking machine having a controller including normal indication and reverse indication contacts, a normal and a reverse lever lock magnet for governing the movement of said lever, circuit means including normal and reverse contacts of the lever controller to control the control element for reversibly operating said switch mechanism, a circuit for said normal lock magnet including a normal indication contact of said lever controller and a normal contact of each of said first and second controllers, and a circuit for the reverse lock magnet including a reverse indication contact of said lever controller and a reverse contact of each of said rst and second controllers.

CHARLES H. LAY. 

